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National Honey Bee Surveys

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Since 2009, APHIS has funded an annual national survey of honey bee pests and

diseases. The national survey documents which bee diseases, parasites, or honey

bee pests are present or likely absent in the United States. Specifically, we have

verified the absence of the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps spp. and other exotic threats

to honey bee populations (e.g., Apis cerana).

Although there are over 4,000 types of bees in the United States, honey bees are

America's primary commercial pollinator. More than 100 types of crops grown in the

this country rely on pollinators. USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) estimates

that pollination is responsible for more than $18 billion in added revenue to crop

production. Additionally, ERS estimates that the total annual value of U.S. honey bee

products and services is approximately $700 million.

Survey Overview

The national survey continues to be the most comprehensive honey bee pests and

diseases survey to date. The survey has three goals:

1. Detecting potentially invasive pests, such as the exotic mite Tropilaelaps, and

problematic Apis spp., such as A. cerana;
2. Expanding the honey bee health surveillance dataset, which provides critical

long-term historical perspective of colony health; and

3. Identifying risk and protective factors that predict colony health and operational

success by connecting honey bee health measures over time and annual colony

losses.

Here's how the survey works:

The survey is open to all States and Territories on a voluntary basis.

Beekeepers within the State or Territory volunteer to have their apiary

inspected.

Samples are collected by participating agencies or universities and processed

by the University of Maryland.

Surveyors will make 3 or more sampling trips to an apiary throughout the year

to collect a total of 14 general survey surveillance samples.

They will also sample five apiaries twice during the year‒ in the spring before

or at the start of the honey flow and in the fall after honey flow–to more closely

monitor factors that affect honey bee health seasonally.

The Bee Informed Partnership securely stores the survey data. 

Survey Resources

This information is for people who are conducting honey bee surveys. Additional

resources are available at ushoneybeehealthsurvey.info.

USDA Honey Bee Pests and Diseases Survey Project Plan: 2024 

Questions and Answers: National Honey Bee Pests and Diseases Survey (2024) 

Protocol for National Honey Bee Survey 

(PDF, 1.23 MB)

Step-by-step guide on how to collect samples from honey bees.

Wax Sampling 

(PDF, 1.08 MB)

Step-by-step guide on how to collect wax samples.

Bee Bread Sampling Protocol 
(PDF, 535.63 KB)

Guide to bee bread sampling, including how to distinguish bee bread from fresh

pollen.

Sampling Pollen in Hives for Pesticide Residues 

(PDF, 309.94 KB)

Step-by-step guide on how to collect pollen samples from hives for pesticide

residues.

U.S. Postal Service Regulations for Mailing Live Bees 

Step-by-step instructions for mailing live honey bees or queen honey bees.

Apiary Data Information Sheet 

(PDF, 69 KB)

Use this sheet to capture visual inspection information during the honey bee

collection process.

Survey Videos

National Honey Bee Sampling Protocol 

Wax Sampling 

Learn how to sample wax from brood frames.

Varroa Mite Detection and Sampling 

Learn how detect Varroa mites.

Related Links

Introduction to Beekeeping: Equipment (Video)

Introduction to Beekeeping: Opening Colonies (Video)

Varroa Mite Detection and Sampling (Video)

Parasite: Tropilaelaps Information Sheet
Exotic Bee ID guide

Bee Mite ID Guide

Northern Giant Hornet

Yellow-Legged Hornet

Import Permits: Honey Bees and Other Bees